Karyes & Protaton Church
Καρυές / Πρωτάτο
The administrative capital of Mount Athos and seat of the Holy Community. The Protaton Church preserves late-13th-century frescoes by Manuel Panselinos, a masterpiece of the Macedonian school.
Karyes is the mountain's only “capital.” It has the Holy Community's council, a police station, a post office and a few small shops. It is the hub where pilgrims change minibuses for the various monasteries. The Protaton Church in the town center is one of Athos's oldest churches. It holds frescoes by painter Manuel Panselinos, dating to around 1290, considered the peak of the Macedonian school. Only men with a pilgrim's entry permit (Diamonitirion) may visit. The bus from Dafni port takes about 30 minutes.
Opening hours
Men with permits only; Protaton hours vary
Nearby sights
- Stavronikita Monastery
- Pantokratoros Monastery
- Xeropotamou Monastery
- Iviron Monastery
- St. Panteleimon Monastery (Rossikon)
- Philotheou Monastery
- Vatopedi Monastery
- Xenophontos Monastery